Fort Worth, Texas Burglary Defense Lawyer

Aggressive Defense Attorney Fighting Burglary Charges in Tarrant County

The crime of burglary can come with lasting consequences if you are convicted. When combined with other offenses committed in the same incident, you may face even stricter prosecution. If you have been charged with this offense, your best course of action is to seek legal representation as soon as possible.

At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, our Fort Worth, TX burglary defense attorney can stand up for you in court, fighting for the best possible result to your case. As a solo practitioner, Attorney Edwardo Meza can provide you with one-on-one counsel, ensuring that your case will not get passed off to a less experienced lawyer.

What Counts as Burglary in Texas?

In Texas, burglary is broader than many people expect. A burglary charge does not require that anything was stolen, and it does not always involve a "break-in." Under Texas law, burglary generally involves entering a building, habitation, or certain vehicles or structures without the owner's effective consent, along with an alleged intent to commit a felony, theft, or assault. Burglary can also be charged when someone initially enters lawfully, but then remains concealed or stays unlawfully and allegedly commits, or attempts to commit, a felony, theft, or assault.

That language matters because prosecutors often focus on intent. A case may be decided by what the state claims you intended to do at the time of entry, and what evidence the police gathered to support that claim. In Fort Worth and across Tarrant County, burglary allegations can stem from misunderstandings, family disputes, workplace conflicts, intoxication, or simple mistakes about permission. When law enforcement and witnesses assume the worst, a situation can escalate into a felony arrest quickly.

Possible Penalties for Burglary

Burglary penalties in Texas depend on what type of property was involved and what the state claims you intended to do. Burglary of a building is typically charged as a state jail felony, which carries a potential sentence of 180 days to two years in a Texas state jail facility, along with a possible fine of up to $10,000.

Burglary of a habitation is treated much more harshly. When the alleged intent involves theft, burglary of a habitation is usually charged as a second-degree felony, punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. If the state alleges that the intent was to commit a felony other than theft, such as assault, the charge can be elevated to a first-degree felony. A first-degree felony carries a potential sentence of five to 99 years or life in prison, along with substantial fines.

Even beyond incarceration, a burglary conviction can follow you for life. A felony record can affect employment, housing, professional licensing, and firearm rights. Bond conditions, travel restrictions, and pretrial supervision can also disrupt your daily life long before a case is resolved.

How Our Firm Can Help You Fight a Burglary Charge in Tarrant County

Depending on the facts, defenses in a burglary case may include lack of intent to commit a felony, theft, or assault, or proof that the state cannot establish that intent beyond a reasonable doubt. Consent issues can also be central, especially when the parties have a prior relationship, shared access, a disputed lease, or unclear boundaries.

Mistaken identity, unreliable eyewitness accounts, and surveillance footage that lacks clarity can create reasonable doubt. In other cases, illegal searches, unlawful entry by police, or problems with probable cause can support motions to suppress evidence. If the state's evidence is lacking, that weakness should be exposed early and repeatedly.

Attorney Edwardo Meza can look closely at the details that prosecutors may gloss over, including what the police knew at the time of arrest, how statements were obtained, and whether the evidence actually supports the charged offense.

Contact a Fort Worth, TX Burglary Defense Attorney

A burglary charge can place your freedom and future at risk, but an arrest does not decide the outcome of your case. At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we provide focused, strategic defense for clients facing serious criminal allegations. Call 817-732-6392 or contact our Fort Worth, TX burglary defense lawyer to schedule a free consultation today.